by Jordyn van Gaalen

To God Be the Glory

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 New International Version

God has been shattering apart the imagination of humans since the beginning of time. He spoke the universe into existence. He parted the Red Sea and the ground beneath was bone dry. He provided water in the desert when Moses’ staff struck a rock. He fed over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. His ways are unexpected and life giving and beyond our comprehension. 

Have you ever had a prayer answered but not in a way that was what you had expected? 

How often do we pray with a solution in mind. A solution conceived by our finite minds. Maybe there are solutions or answers that are nothing like what we have thought of. I know this has happened to me quite a bit. Our prayers and our struggles are fulfilled in God’s way – immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Writing down your prayers and seeing how God fulfills them can be a testimony. Often in books of the Bible, the writer will go through the history of miracles God has performed for His people. It is a way to remember the power of God. It is a way to glorify God and acknowledge His power and divine wisdom.

This passage ends with giving glory to Jesus. This life we have been given isn’t about fulfilling our agenda. It is not about our receiving success or fame or a life of happiness. It is about praising and worshiping and glorifying our Savior.

God receives glory when His name is made known as we witness and testify about the miracles we have experienced. We give God glory when we share how he has answered our prayers and touched our lives, as we proclaim the power of Jesus’ name, and as we show the love of Christ that He has lavished on us. 

Giving God glory is the ultimate goal of our earthly existence. It is why we have breath in our lungs. When we get to heaven, we will be in constant communion with God, and we will be praising him endlessly. We will be eternally worshiping our Savior. What a day that will be to see our Savior’s face!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado